Friday, March 18

Modern warfare at it’s best (we hope?) as we read n’ review Abrams Squad No#14

The Abrams Squad No#14
from Pla Editions has just arrived on our desk and no doubt in the shops near
you. We spent some time reading it today and thought it was only fair to tell
you what we thought about this latest edition in today’s review….

Abrams Squad magazine is now in it’s fourteenth edition. Since it’s inception we
have watched the subtle evolution of this magazine into what it is today.
Arriving every two months we take the time to read and review it because
usually it is at the top of the heap of the fast disappearing (we hope not)
thing called the modelling magazine.

The Abrams Squad has two particular features we like and
straight off the bat they are here in this issue. The fact that the mag (uniquely)
concentrates of modern warfare vehicles and scenarios, as well as the fact that
the adverts in this publication are limited to only a few pages (9 including
the first and last page) make this a very not typical publication. We like
something different, and we also like looking at models instead of more
adverts.

The 9€ cover price is a factor in the lack of paid adverts
but it’s worth that little extra for quality. Because the magazine is story/
article driven it seems more focussed than many magazines and the adverts are
often between the stories.

Physically this is a pretty regular looking magazine from
the outside. A glossy softcover in a portrait A4 format. Open this up to find seventy-two
pages of magazine, so nothing new there. There have been a few editorial changes I must say inside that I have noticed, but I will point them out later.
Let’s go page to page and I will walk you thru what’s in this issue.

One thing I don’t like that much in magazines are reviews.
Usually they are later than a lot of on line reviews and all too often a little
too brief. Abrams used to give reviews 7
or so pages but this mag gives only three pages in it’s review section which
they call “Commander’s Display Unit.” This is again brief, butsmartly what is looked at is stuff that I have
not really seen reviewed elsewhere. So it’s a win here.

The next section is always a favorite of mine, and this
issue of “Remote Thermal Sight” features a full build of the entire Patriot SAM System in 35th scale. Massive kit with LOTS to cover here, but this
is how reviews should be done. With kit, glue and scalpel in hand, they give
you what the kit is REALLY like. This build has and SBS (step by step) build of
the tractor, launching station and radar as Trumpeter has (smartly) released this combination in two
separate boxings.

The comparisons with photos taken by the crew are very
helpful and the build is written in a smart way which helps you understand just
how to simplify your build.

Next we get to spend time with a certain “Armoured British
Gentleman” as Simon Antelmi’s first build shows off the Takom 35th scale
kit of the Chieftain Mk.11. It is good that we get to see some pictures of this
kit before it goes together, especially pictures of the turret and upper deck.
Too many magazines and builds breeze straight through to the painting and
weathering nowadays – I like this approach.

Although this is a shorter article you do get to see
construction, painting and weathering in it so
well done to Simon. The model finished up pretty nicely as well.

Ignat Pomazkov is next with the very nicely laid out article featuring a very used BM-21 Grad Multiple Rocket Launcher. The composition of
this model in the scene make this a very close to favourite of mine in this
magazine. The old Soviet era sign in the background and the grizzled soldier in
front of it give a perfect for, mid and background to the diorama.

The Trumpeter kit has had a lot of additional material from
Voyager and Def model, the additions make this a very grey and shiny brass
object before the paint goes on. A lot of work has gone into the construction
and you get to see it all here.

The Grad truck painting and weathering is deceptively simple in explanation and the diorama base is pretty simple when explained as well.
Not that this is an easy achievement but the way it is all laid out here it
gives you a feeling you could do it as well. Top marks for inspiration.

Next we take a look at the ZSU-23 “Shilka” which is
nicknamed “Satan’s Chariot.” With not only the Dragon, but the Hong Models and
Meng kits all in 1/35th scale the editors take a look at the tracked
AA gun itself in some detail and a little on the variants that these three
kits can be made into. It’s kinda like a preview article if I could explain it
to you.

Next we look at the article by Óscar Alfonso of the eight wheeled Trumpeter VCR-105
Centauro in 35th scale. This popular kit is seen in Spanish colours
and added to with mostly ET Models extras like weighted resin wheels, extra
armour and aerials as well as a RB models 105mm gun. Again the kit is heavily transformed from the donor kit but that is great to see this before the paint
goes on. I like to see the in progress rather than just the end process!

The model maker includes the modifications to change this
Italian AFV into a Spanish chariot in a break out box which is very helpful.
The painting and weathering is about 5 pages and like most of the models in
this magazine the modeller uses a lot of different materials to this end. This
is NOT looking to me like a sponsored magazine as some others do. We want to
see lots of different stuff in these SBS’ and this magazine gives us that.

The photo walk around
of this vehicle in service is very nice to have in here for reference also.

A very nice – and very blue BRDM-2 used by the Serbian
Police is next. Modeller Andrey Grechkin’s model is very nicely presented with
complimentary colours in the pages. Well done to the graphical team of this whole
magazine I must say. The author talks about seeing the pictures of this model
on the web. This is common to many of these articles, and I would say that
adding these pictures if possible would really add to the authenticity of the
builds here.

The work of the modeller with oils and the chipping,
scratching and pastel pigment work here is of specific note and he has done a
very impressive job of making it look just beaten up enough but in a realistic
fashion. Tremendous work from the modeller here.

The last part of the magazine is usually a feature pictorial,
this section however is a bit of an examination of the M60A2 tank. Excellently
titled “M60A2: Starship or Bullshit?” explains the history behind the M60A2 and
why maybe it is so revered by modern armour modellers. There are currently four
different producers making this kit, and the article provides us with some
insight into the Cold War warrior that to me looks so odd.

Often this is a photo pictorial but I like the change of pace
here by the editor and I like how it is related to the model kits.

Lastly a page called “Turret Basket” hints at what is to
come in a short page of preview hinting at the next issue of the Abrams Squad
Magazine.

But what did I think about this article? As usual I am
impressed. The shortening of the reviews and the trimming of everything but
builds gives this magazine a premium fell and it is well worth the asking price as much as your
time.

Keep it up Abrams Squad.

Adam Norenberg

You can get your copy
of issue #13 of the Abrams Magazine Directly
from Pla Editions or their distributors worldwide as a single
issue and as a subscription…